Bow rest and clamping device.



H. B. WHITE.

. BOW REST AND ULAMPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 423.22, 1912.

QemnllMk lTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY B. WHITE, OECANTON, OHIO, .ASSIGNOR TO THE GILLILAM MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, OF CANTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

- BOW BEST AND CLAMPING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY B. W HITE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Canton, in the, county of Stark and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to BowRests and Clamping Devices, of which theby a device embodying myinvention. Fig. :2 1s a front elevation of the device. F 1g. 3

is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a top plan view with the clampplate rotated to an inoperative position. Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are detailviews,partly in section.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a vehicle of any suitable construction, thebody of which 1.. provided with a foldable or collapsible top This topmay also be of any approved form and construction. The top 2 issupported by sets of bows 2 which are connected to the vehicle 1 andswing rearwardly and downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 in theusual manner.

l indicates brackets (only one being shown) which are preferably fixedto and extend laterally from either side of the vehicle body at a pointrearward of the pivot connection of the bows 2 therewith. At its enterend the bracket 1 is enlarged and formed with an opening 1", the innerwall of which is preferably of conical shape.

indicates a supportingmember, preferably comprising a rod 3" which isconnected to and depends from the bracket 1*. At its lower end the rodcarries a horizontal arm 3 which may be integrally formed with the rod3-. The upper free end of the rod 3 extends through theopening 1, itbeing reduced as shownat 3 to form a shoulder 3, which engages the lowerside or face of the bracket. The reducedend tl of the rod Specificationof Letters Patent.

Application filed April 22, 1912. Serial No. 692,369.

Patented Dec. 3, 1912.

is provided with screw threads to take a nut 4. Surrounding the reducedend 3 is a split collar 5 the outer wall of which is conically shaped tofit the conical walls of the opening'l". When these parts are arrangedas just described and the nut 4: is

tightened, the collar 5 will be forced downwardly and through theengagement of its outer wall with the inner wall of the opening 1", thecollar will be contracted into snug engagement with the reduced end 3.The effect of this operation will be to rigidly connect the rod 3" tothe bracket 1.

. 6 indicates a rest member movable laterally, that. is, toward and fromthe vehicle 1, and also angularly on the arm 3*. This member preferablycomprises a body 6 a. plate 6 on which the lowermost bow of the setrests and a collar or sleeve 6 through which the arm 3 extends, all ofthese parts being preferably formed integral. The

plate 6? is preferably channeled to receive and prevent lateral movementof the lowermost. bow. I

6 indicates an opening extending through the body 6' and screw-threadedto receive a bolt 6, whereby the rest member 6 can befiXed in itsadjusted position to the arm 3*. Along its opposite longitudinal edgesthe plate 6 may be provided with lips 6 which are bent over and extendtoward each other. These lips are spaced from the upper face of theplate 6 to form a recess to receive theopposite longitudinal edges of apad 6 and thus hold the latter in position thereon. At 6 the inner wallsof the lips 6 are cut away intermediate the ends of the plate 6" to formrecesses the end walls of which serve as abutting shoulders 6, 6

As shown in the drawings, the pad 6 is provided with proiecting members6 along its opposite sides, which members fit the recesses 6 Theopposite end walls of the projecting members 6 ".re arranged to engagewith the abutting shoulders 6 and in this manner the pads 6 aredetachably secured to the plate 6 and also held against relativemovement in a longitudinal direction.

To secure a pad 6 to a plate, it is first positioned as shown in dottedlines in Fig.

3 with its projecting member 6 oppositeto or in registry with therecesses 6, after which, bymeans of a tool or plunger,the centralportion of the pad 6 is forced downwardly-into engagement'with the faceof the plate.

7, 7 indicate a pair of arms which preferably extend rearwardly, thatis, toward the vehicle 1. These'a. .ns are arranged in-the same verticalplane and spaced from each other whereby they may properly support inupright position a rod 8. The arms 7, 7*, are preferably integrallyconnected with the body 6 and formed with alined openings 7 throughwhich the rod 8 extends as shown in the drawings. The openings 7 areof asize to permit free movement of the rod 8 vertically and angularlytherein. The upper end of the rod 8 is preferably bent or curvedforwardly to form an arm 8 on which is adjustably mounted a clamp 9.This clamp 9, when in operative position, engages the uppermost bow ofbows 2 and clamps them upon the 'rest plate 6". In this manner the plate6 and clamp 9 cooperate with each other to support and hold the foldedtop stationary.

As shown in the drawings the collar 6 and body are so arranged, relativeto each other that the collar lies midway between the ends of the plate6". By this-arrangement and construction the arms 7, 7, may extendrearwardly without interference with the arm 3" and also support the rod8 at one side of therod 3*. Another advantage.

of this construction is thatthe rod 8 can be moved vertically withoutcontact with-the bracket 1*. Furthermore the construction lends itselfto simplicity and cheapness of construction as well as lightness.

10 indicates means for connecting and clamping the rod 8 to the arms 7 7whereby the clamp 9 can be locked in engagement with the uppermost bowand disengaged.

therefrom at will. Of these means 1() indicates a collar or equivalentdevice, preferably comprising a nut which has screwthreaded engagementwith the rod 8 and adapted to form an abutment that engages with theupper surface of the arm 7 when the rod 8 is clamped or secured inoperative position. The engagement of the collard 0 with the adjacentarm 7 is not direct, a yieldable device 1O being interposed between thecollar and arm for a purpose to be later described. The nut 10 serves,to determine the position of the clamp 9 relative'to the plate 6", sothat by adjusting the nut longitudinally of the rod 8 in one directionor another the clamp 9 can be adjusted and arranged to properly clampthe uppermost bow.

10 indicates a locking nut preferably of the thumb type) adapted to thescrew threads of the rod 8. It is arranged below the arm 7 and whentightened it draws the of grooves.

against turning.

the set of 9%; and the plate 9.

rod 8 and nut 10 downwardly, acting in opposition to the yieldabledevice 10", and

effects a locking operation in a well known manner.

10 indicates a wall arranged between th e' arms 7, 7- and extendingfrom'the-fbody- 6 This wall is preferably an integral part of the arms7, 7 and body 6. The'wall' 110 is formed with acavity 10? in which ismounted a ball ratchet device comprising a ball 10 and a spring 10 whichnormally tends to force the ball outwardly. As shown at 10 that wall of"the nut 10 which engages the-arm 7 is formed with a plurality When thenut 10 is tightened the ball 1O co-acts with the walls of a groove 10 toautomatically lock the nut The yieldable device 10 preferably comprisesa split spring washer which is coiled as shown. It tends to normallyelevate the rod 8.

The nut 10 is thus always maintained in enwith the ratchet whereby it isgagement locked against rotation, at the same time, when the nut 10 isloosened, the rod 8 is automatically elevated, thus causing adisengagement of the clamp '9 from the adjacent bow. can be easilyrotated a quarter turn, positioning the clamp 9 out of thepathof-movement of the bows-see Fig.4, whereupon the bows can be folded orunfoldedwithoutgenengagement with the clamp 9 exits-support:

ing rod. The spring 10 also. s'ert es'to'pre vent rattling of the parts,and'icoiiperates with the automatic locking means'* to assist in lockingthe nut 10.

The clamp 9 preferablycomprises a col-f I formed-integral there lar 9and aplate 9 with and arranged in an inverted position. 9 indicatesa-recess formed in'thecollar This recess is prefe'r ably elongated, inthe longitudinal direction of the plate 9 and at its opposite ends therecess is reduced in width as shown at 9 to receive and support theopposite ends of a spring member 11.

9 indicates alined openings formed 1n and extending through the walls ofthe collar9 on opposite sides of the recess 9 and adapted to receive thearm 8. The arm 8 and the openings 9 'therefor being round, the lattercan be adjusted on the arm angularly as well as laterally, in order topermit the plate are) properly engage the/adjacent In this latterposition the rod -8 able force or friction and thusprevents the clamp 9from turning normally, thereon.

8 indicates an annular groove, formed oaders in the arm 8 to receive'thewire 11. This groove serves to secure the spring member of the to thearm 8 in a manner which permits the clamp to rotate thereon but preventsmovement of the spring laterally, and tends to maintain the clamp in apredetermined position.

. From this construction it will be seen that the wire section 11 issecured at its opposite ends to the clamp 9 and intermediate its ends tothe arm 8; As the recess 9 is of a width greater than the width ordiameter of .the spring member 11, the construction permits the clamp ,9to be moved laterally on the arm 8 in either direction against thetension of the spring member 11.

It will thus be seen that when the rod 8' is drawn downwardly to efiectthe operation of the clamp 9 in clamping engagement with the uppermostbow 2 the clamp automatically adjusts itself both angularly andlaterally on the arm 8 to properly engage the said bow. The free end ofthe arm 8 may be upset or provided with suitable means to permanentlysecure the clamp on the arm.

The clamp plate 9 is preferably constructed similarly to the rest plate6 and provided with a pad 6 In a construction such. as I have describedit will be seen that all of the supporting members for the upper andlower bow engaging plates are arranged rearward bows 2 and that only oneoperating part is required to lock and release the bows, the operatingpart being controlled by automatic means that lock such part all times.

It will also be seen that the support 8, rod 8, and its connectionstherewith, constitute supporting and spacing means for the rest 6 or itsplate 6 and the clamp 9, which-in turnconstitute a pair of relativelymovable bow-engaging and clamping mem- To those skilled in the art ofmaking apparatus of the class described, many alterations inconstruction and widely differing embodiments and applications of myinvention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit andscope thereof.

My disclosures andthe description herein are purely illustrative, andare not intended to. be in any sense limiting. Whatlclaim is: 1

In a' device of the character described, the combination of a supportingmember having a rest arranged to support the bows ofa-vehicletop, a rodmovably mounted on said member and provided with a clamparranged tocooperate with the rest to support the bows, arranged above said member,a clamping device mounted on said rod below said memberand arranged tocooperate with the colranged at one side which is "detaehably a collarcarried by said rod and lar' when tightened to draw the rod downwardlyand rigidly secure it to said mem-' ber, ball ratchet mechanism betweenthe said member and clamping device for locking the latter againstturning, and a yieldable device interposed between the collar and membertending to normally elevate the rod.

2. In a device of the character described, thecombination of a supportadapted to be arranged at one sidesof a vehicle and provided withhorizontal arm, a rest .movable toward and from the vehicle on said arm,means for securing the rest to said arm, the said rest including a pairof brackets extending rearwardly therefrom and arof said support, the

brackets being formed with alined openings, a rod slidably mounted insaid openings and provided withan arm at its upper end, a clamp mountedon the last mentioned arm and arranged to cooperate with the rest tosupport a set of vehicle top bows in folded position, a pair of nutsscrewthreaded on said rod and arranged above and below said brackets andcoiiperating with each other to secure the rod thereto in operativeposition, 'a ball ratchet mechanism interposed between one of said nutsand the adjacent bracket for locking said nut against turning movement,and a yieldable member arranged between the other nut and the adjacentbracket tending to normally elevate the said rod.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support.adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle and having a restmovabletoward and from the vehicle thereon, means for securing the restto said support, the said rest being pro-- vided with a pair of spacedbrackets extending rearwardly, therefrom and arranged at one side ofsaid support, the brackets being formed with alined openings, a rodslidably and rotatably mounted in said openings and provided with an armat its upper end, a plate mounted on the last mentioned arm and arrangedto coiiperate with the rest to support a set of top bows in foldedposition, a pair of nuts screw-threaded on said ro dand arranged aboveand be low said brackets and coiiperating with each other-to securetherod thereto in operative position, a ball ratchet mechanisminterposed between the lower bracket and the adjacent nut for lockingthe latter against turning movement, and a spring interposed between theother nut and the adjacent bracket arranged to be put under tension whenthe first mentioned nut is operated.

4.. In a device of the character described, the combination ofsupporting means adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle andincluding a plate on which the bows of the vehicle top rest, saidsupporting means being. formed with alined openings, a rod extendingthrough and adjust-ably mounted in said openings, the said rod beingprovided with a clamping plate cooperating 5 with the rest plate tosupport the bows-inv folded position, and provided with screw threads atits lower end, a nut engaging with the screw threaded end of the rod forsecuring it tosaid supporting means, a ball ratchet mechanism betweenthe supporting means and the nut for locking the latter against turning,and means tending to elevate said'rod and arranged to be compressed whensaid nut is tightened.

/ 5. In a device of the character described, the combination of asupport adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle for supportingaset of top bows, a device for clamping the bows on said.supportcomprising a vertically adjustable member having an arm and aclamp mounted thereon and a spring member carried by said clamp andconnected to said arm intermediate its ends for securing the clampthereto and permitting it to move angularly and laterally thereonagainst the tension of said spring member, and means for operating saidclamping device.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supportadapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle for sup porting a set oftop bows, a device for clamping the bows on said support comprising avertically adjustable member having-an arm formed with an annulargroove, a clamp mounted thereon and formcdwith a recess,

and a spring member mounted in said recess and having its opposite endssecured to said clamp, the said spring member being arranged within thegroove of the arm intermediate its ends, whereby the clamp is secured tosaid arm but permitted to move angularly and laterally thereon againstthetension of said spring member, and means for operating said clampingdevice.

7. In a devieeof the character described, the combination of a supporton which the bows of a vehicle top are adapted 'to rest, a membermovable vertically relative to said support, and provided with an arm, aclamp mounted on said arm and arranged to engage the uppermost bow ofthe set of bows to clamp said bows on the support, the said clamp beingformed with a recess,-and a spring arranged within said recess securedat its opposite ends to said clamp and yieldingly engaging said armintermediate its ends, the said recess being wider than the width ofsaid spring and the arm being formed with an annular groove to receivethe spring for connecting it to said arm, whereby the said clamp whenmoved into engagement with the adjacent bow, may adjust itself theretoby angular and lateral 5 movement on said arm against the tension ofthespring, and means for drawing said movable member downwardlytovertically clamp the bows. Q v

8. In a device of'the character described, a pair ofrlatively movablebow engaging and clamping members-for clamping a set of bows im foldedposition therebetween, supporting and spacing means for said bowengaging and clamping members, one of said spacing means, and means forcausing the porting and spacing means.

9. In a device of the character described, a pair of relatively movablebow engaging said member to frictionally engage said supand clampingmembers for clamping a set of bows in folded position therebetween,

supporting and spacing means for said bow engaging and clamping members,one of said bow engaging and clamping members being mounted on saidsupporting and spacing means to swing thereupon and to move bodilylaterally relative thereto, and a yielding device interposed betweensaid supporting and spacing means and said movable how engaging andclamping member serving to oppose the bodily movement and swingingmovement of said bow engaging and clamping member upon the supportingand spac-.

ing means.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supportadapted to be fixed to a body, a rest plate carried by said support, arod slidably and rotatably supported by said support, the upper end ofsaid rod having a laterally extending arm, a plate rotatably mounted onsaid arm and arranged. to clamp the uppermost bow of a set of vehicleto-p bows, aresilient device carried by said plate and arranged toengage said arm and frictionally oppose the rotation of said platerelatively thereto but permitting the plate to adjust itselfjto the in-.clina-tion of the adjacent bow whendrawn downwardly into clampingengagement e rod therewith, and means fordrawingdownwardly. v 1

11. The combination of a normally statie-nary rest adapted to be 'fixedto the side of a vehicle and arranged to support the bows of a vehicletop, a clampin member for engaging the bows of the to and cooperatingwith the rest to rigidly hold the bows in folded position,supporting-means for the clamping member permitting it to movevertically toward and from said rest and also to swing horizontally, anda friction device interposed between the clamping -member and itssupporting means permit ing an arm formed with an,annular groove,

a clamp mounted thereon and formed with a recess, and a spring membermounted centrally in said recess and connected on opposite sides of saidarm to said clamp, the said spring member being arranged within thegroove of the arm intermediate its ends,

' whereby the clamp is secured to said arm but permitted to ,moveangularly and laterally thereon against the tension of said springmember, the side walls of said recess operating to limit the lateralmovment of the clamp on said arm, and means for operating said clampingdevice.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination withasupport adapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle, of a platemounted on said support and having lips arranged along its oppositelongitudinal sides, the said lips eitending toward each other, the innerwalls of the lips being cut away intermediate their ends to formrecesses, the end walls of which form shoulders, and a pad mounted onsaid plate and having its opposite sides extended into said recesses,whereby said shoulders operate to prevent endwise movement of thepadrelatively to the plate.

14. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a support adapted to be arranged at one side of avehicle, of a channeled plate mounted on said support and having flangesextending along its opposite longitudinal side edges, the said flangesbeing spaced to receive the opposite edges of a pad and also cut away toform shoulders near their opposite ends, and a pad mounted on said plateand having mem bers projecting laterally from its opposite longitudinalsides, the said projecting members extending into said recesses and theopposite end walls thereof engaging said shoulders to secure the pad tosaid plate.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of asupportadapted to be arranged at one side of a vehicle, the said supportincluding a rest-on which a set of vehicle top tbowsmay be supported, adevice for clamping the bows on said rest, the said device comprising amovable member having an arm formed with an annular groove, a clampmounted on and bodily movable laterally and angularly relative to saidarm and a spring carried by said clamp and arranged within the groove ofsaid arm and engaging the walls thereof to oppose angular and lateralmovement of said clamp on the arm, and means for securing said clampingdevice to said support.

16. The combination of a stationary rest for the bows of a vehicle top,a clamping member arranged to cooperate with the rest for clamping thebows in folded position,

supporting means for said clamping member including an arm on which itis rotatably mounted, the said clamping member be inguformed witharecess, and a resilient member overlying said arm and bent intermediateits ends to permit itsopposite ends to engage the'walls of said recesson opposite sides of said arm for frictionally securing the clampingmemberthei eto and permitting the adjustment of said clamping member tothe inclination of the bows.

' In testimony whereof I afiix my signature,

in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses LAURENCE C. KEELER, ANTHONY HOWELLS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G.

HARRY B. wHrrn.

